From the Orange County Newsroom
In Summary:
Orange County Mosquito Control is increasing mitigation and surveillance operations following the confirmation of two locally acquired dengue cases in the Apopka area. The agency is conducting targeted treatments in Apopka and Pine Hills while taking additional preventive measures throughout the county. New laboratory technology could allow mosquito samples to be tested for dengue and other viruses within the same day.
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Orange County Mosquito Control today announced that it is increasing mosquito mitigation and surveillance operations after the Florida Department of Health in Orange County (FDOH) issued a Mosquito Alert for Dengue Fever. FDOH has confirmed two additional cases of locally acquired Dengue Fever in the Apopka area.
Related: Orange County adds faster testing for mosquito-borne illnesses.
FDOH issued a Mosquito-borne Illness Advisory on September 2, 2026, after detecting a locally acquired case of dengue fever in the Pine Hills area. The second case meets the threshold for issuing a Mosquito Alert.
“We are conducting targeted control measures and enhanced surveillance in Pine Hills, Apopka, and throughout Orange County,” said Steve Harrison, manager of Orange County Mosquito Control. “While CDC guidance calls for targeted treatment of areas of concern, we are taking additional measures. Given the increased Dengue Fever cases we are seeing in other parts of Florida, we want to be proactive to reduce the risk of further local transmission in Orange County.”
Dengue Fever, commonly known as Breakbone Fever, is a mosquito-borne illness that is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Common symptoms are a high fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle, bone or joint pain, nausea and vomiting, swollen glands, and skin rash. Dengue Fever is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which is not known to travel very far.
Orange County Mosquito Control recently added new technology to its laboratory, allowing the agency to detect mosquito-borne illnesses, like Dengue Fever, more rapidly. The new molecular testing uses PCR technology to look for genetic material of specific viruses within mosquito samples.
“Previously, we had to send samples outside of the laboratory,” added Harrison. “Now, we can potentially have results in the same day, which will lead to faster responses and mitigation efforts.”
Members of the media are invited to Orange County Mosquito Control on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 9 am to speak to Steve Harrison about the efforts to prevent Dengue Fever from spreading further in Orange County and to view the mosquito-borne illness testing technology.
Laboratory Program Manager Jose Colon-Muniz will be available for Spanish-speaking members of the media. Please email Zach Downes at Zachary.downes@ocfl.net to coordinate a visit to the Orange County Mosquito Control office.
Key Points:
- Two additional locally acquired dengue cases were confirmed in the Apopka area.
- The Florida Department of Health in Orange County issued a mosquito alert.
- Targeted mosquito-control measures are underway in Apopka and Pine Hills.
- Dengue is transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito.
- New PCR technology allows Orange County to test mosquito samples more rapidly.
